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Dept of the Environment

Answer

Mr. Patrick Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 1 April, Official Report, column 15, what guidance will be issued on the Special Waste Regulations 1996.[33154] Mr. Clappison: Detailed guidance on the Special Waste Regulations 1996 has been issued today in the form of a joint circular from the Department of the Environment, the Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department and the Welsh Office. A copy of the circular has been placed in the Library. The guidance was issued in draft form for public consultation in 1995. The final text takes account of the many comments received. It gives an outline of the procedures which are to be followed by those who handle special waste and incorporates in a separate annexe technical guidelines on the definition of special waste, technical aspects of assessing whether a particular consignment of waste is special, and the hazard criteria which apply. Copies of the circular have been distributed to local authorities, and the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, which will have a supervisory role in the system of controls. In addition, we have produced a free 10-page leaflet on the regulations. This is designed for those who handle special waste and answers of the main questions which are likely to arise.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

33154; 279 c241W;279 c235W

Session

1995-96

Subjects

Hazardous substances Pollution control Transport Waste disposal Waste

Legislation

Special Waste Regulations 1996